(Dan 10:1 KJV) In the third year
of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed
unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing
was true, but the time appointed was long: and
he understood the thing, and had understanding
of the vision.

The final vision given to Daniel
was in the third year of the reign of Cyrus. This
was in 536 B.C. The seventy-year exile of the Jews
to Babylon had ended, and some had returned to
rebuild the temple. The vision showed Daniel that
Israel would not enjoy peace and freedom for very
long, for Israel was to be involved in many
conflicts. There was to be a 434-year period of time
that was to end in the coming of Messiah the Prince.
We know this from the vision of the seventy weeks in
Daniel 9. There was also to be a time period of
conflict at the very end for 49 years that would
also end in the coming of Messiah the Prince. The
434-year period and the 49-year period would each
begin with a proclamation to return to Jerusalem and
reestablish the Government.
The first began in approximately 436 B.C. with the
proclamation by Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem. The
second apparently began on a seven-year cycle of
years sometime after January 23, 1950 with the
Jerusalem Proclamation for the Jews to reestablish
their Government in Jerusalem. The second time
period will apparently end with the Sabbatical year
of the seventh seven-year cycle.

This
verse establishes that there would elapse a long
period of time before Israel would be established as
the premier nation in the world. Daniel understood
the vision and knew that he would die and be
resurrected at the end to receive his reward.

(Dan 10:2 KJV) In those
days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.

Daniel
was seeking understanding from the Lord, and he
fasted for a full three weeks. The word mourning
also means lamenting, for Daniel was grieving or
lamenting over the actions of the nation of Israel.
Israel had been in rebellion against God and was
being chastised for their rebellion. The
chastisement would continue right up to the time
that Israel would be reestablished in the land and
receive their inheritance. The 434-year period and
the 49-year period have ended, but the seven-year
period is still ahead of Israel. The conflicts
between Israel and other countries will continue
during the seven years with a brief respite when
Israel will be dwelling at peace just before she
will be invaded by Russia and her allies during the
first half of the tribulation period. The last half
of the seven-year period will be the most
devastating for Israel, and it is referred to as the
time of Jacob’s trouble. Two-thirds of the Jews will
perish during this last half of the seven-year
period.

(Dan 10:3
KJV) I ate no pleasant bread, neither came
flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint
myself at all, till three whole weeks were
fulfilled.

Daniel
did not eat any choice food during the entire
three-week period. The word translated “whole”
literally means day and
refers to three weeks of days instead of three weeks
of years. The word for week
literally means a period of seven and normally
refers to a period of seven years, unless it
specifies that it is a week of days. The word for
day in this verse specifies three weeks of days and
not years. The seventy weeks in chapter nine refer
to seventy weeks of years or three periods of time
that add up to 490 years.

(Dan 10:4 KJV) And in the four
and twentieth day of the first month, as I was
by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;

After
three weeks of fasting, Daniel receives a response
to his request to the Lord for understanding. He
receives his vision on the 24th of the
first month, which would have been on the 24th
of Abib (i.e., Nisan),
or exactly 10 days after Passover, which occurs on
the 14th of Abib.
When Daniel received his vision, he was beside the
Tigris River, which was a very old river going back
to the time of the Garden of Eden. The Hiddekel was the third river
that flowed out of the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:14),
and it is known as the Tigris River today.

(Dan 10:5
KJV) Then I lifted up mine eyes, and
looked, and behold a certain man clothed in
linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of
Uphaz:

Daniel
looks up and sees a particular man in his vision.
This individual is quite different from the angel
Gabriel who appeared to Daniel in chapter 8 to
explain the vision. The description of this
individual clearly reveals Him as a Christophany, or a preincarnate vision of
Christ. The Man is clothed in fine linen, and the
High Priest’s garments were made out of fine linen
(Ex. 28:6). Fine linen typifies the righteous works
of man and typifies the human nature and works of
Jesus Christ. The fine gold girded about His loins
typifies the divine nature of Jesus Christ. Uphaz is another name for Ophir, and this was a place
that traded in fine gold. Gold from Ophir was highly valued. The
linen and gold symbolize the hypostatic union of
both man and deity. The identity of this individual
is clear.

(Dan 10:6 KJV) His body also was
like the beryl, and his face as the appearance
of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire,
and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished
brass, and the voice of his words like the
voice of a multitude.

The
description of this individual continues in
describing his body as being like beryl. Beryl is chrysolite or topaz, which
is a gem made of quartz or crystal. Crystal in the
Bible represents the innate righteousness of God, so
the body of this individual shows the innate
righteousness of Jesus Christ. He did not have to
attain unto righteousness, but His righteousness was
innate because of His divine nature. Even His human
nature was untainted by sin as His virgin birth kept
Him from having the fallen sin nature of Adam.

His
face as the appearance of lightning shows that this
individual is the Judge of all of humanity.
Lightning typifies judgment from God. The lamps of
fire show His omniscience and ability to judge by
having complete knowledge of all of the works of
every human being. His arms and feet like polished
brass complete the description of Him as the future
judge of mankind. Brass or bronze symbolizes
judgment. Gold is deity and silver is blood
atonement, but bronze is judgment. This description is
the same as the description of Christ given in the
Book of Revelation; both glorious and frightening.

The
voice as the voice of a multitude shows the
overpowering ability of His voice to overrule in the
affairs of man. This individual is clearly a preincarnation of Christ.

(Dan 10:7 KJV) And I Daniel alone
saw the vision: for the men that were with me
saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell
upon them, so that they fled to hide
themselves.

Only
Daniel saw the vision of the preincarnate
Christ, for the men with him began to shake and
tremble and they ran away. This individual was
clearly more than an angel.

(Dan 10:8 KJV) Therefore I was
left alone, and saw this great vision, and
there remained no strength in me: for my
comeliness was turned in me into corruption,
and I retained no strength.

Daniel
was left alone to observe the vision of the preincarnate Christ. The
vision completely sapped his strength, and his
stature as a man was shown to be corrupted. In the
presence of Christ, all men would be shown to be
completely corrupt. The closer we walk with Christ
in our Christian walk, the more we see ourselves as
being totally depraved and corrupt.

(Dan 10:9 KJV) Yet heard I the
voice of his words: and when I heard the voice
of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my
face, and my face toward the ground.

The
presence of Christ cast Daniel into a stupor with
his face toward the ground. He was unable to even
look up at Him. Daniel was lying face down upon the
ground.

(Dan 10:10 KJV) And, behold, an hand touched
me, which set me upon my knees and upon the
palms of my hands.

The
Person of Christ puts His hand upon Daniel and
raises him to his knees and the palms of his hands.
The Hebrew word for “hand” means an open hand,
indicating power, means or direction.

(Dan 10:11 KJV) And he said unto
me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved,
understand the words that I speak unto thee,
and stand upright: for unto thee am I now
sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I
stood trembling.

The
words of Christ then tell Daniel to understand His
words and He tells Daniel to stand up. Daniel then
stands up and he was trembling as he stood. Christ
tells Daniel that he is a man greatly loved by God.

(Dan 10:12 KJV) Then said he unto
me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day
that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten
thyself before thy God, thy words were heard,
and I am come for thy words.

The
Christ tells Daniel not to fear and that Daniel’s
prayers were heard from the first day that he prayed
for understanding at the same time that he humbled
himself before God. The appearance of Christ Himself
to reveal the truth to Daniel shows how much God
loved Daniel. In essence, God Himself in the Person
of Christ came down to reveal the truth to Daniel
about what is to happen to the Jews.

(Dan 10:13
KJV) But the prince of the kingdom of
Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but,
lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to
help me; and I remained there with the kings
of Persia.

In the
process of coming through the first heaven to come
to Daniel, the Christ was detained by the prince of
the kingdom of Persia. The prince of the kingdom of
Persia would have been one of the principalities or
powers of the air that was in charge over the
kingdom of Persia. The authority over him would have
been Satan. The question naturally arises as to how
a minion of Satan could detain the Christ for 21
days. It must be remembered that Satan was and still
is the god of this earth, even though he is subject
to God the Father. Christ had not yet been born and
paid the price for the redemption of the earth by
His death on the Cross, so Christ would have not yet
had authority over the earth. Christ as a member of
the Godhead certainly had the power to overcome one
of Satan’s minions, but He did not yet have the
authority over the earth. Consequently, negotiation
was necessary for a visit to earth to talk to Daniel
in Person.

Michael
is one of the seven Archangels who stands in the presence of
God. He is the Archangel who stands in time of
conflict for the children of Israel. Christ would
not have usurped the authority that Satan had been
given as the god of this earth, so this is the
reason that the prince of the kingdom of Persia was
able to detain Him from coming to the earth. As the
Archangel with authority over Israel, Michael was
somehow able to assist the Christ in coming to see
Daniel the prophet. We must remember that Christ had
not yet died upon the cross to redeem the elect of
mankind and the earth from Satan’s hold, much less
been crowned to reign and rule over the earth at the
appropriate time.

In the
middle of the tribulation period, Jesus Christ will
come to the earth and place one foot on the land and
one foot on the sea, and he will take charge of the
earth by force. At that time, Satan will not have
the power or the legal right to resist Him from
exercising dominion over the earth. Jesus Christ has
already paid the price for the redemption of the
earth from Satan, but he has not yet opened the
seven-sealed scroll, which is the title deed to the
earth.

(Dan 10:14 KJV) Now I am come to
make thee understand what shall befall thy
people in the latter days: for yet the vision
is for many days.

The
Christ continues His explanation to Daniel and
plainly tells him that He has come to make him
understand what is to befall his people in the
latter days.

At
this point it is very important to understand the
definition of latter days. At this time in the
narrative, the latter days would have been the days
just before the First Coming of Jesus Christ to
announce the kingdom to the Jews. Since God knew and
ordained the rejection of Jesus Christ by the Jews,
the latter days would also have meant the time just
before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in Power
and Glory. This is very important to understand for
Chapters 11 and 12 of Daniel describe the events
before the First Coming of Jesus Christ, and the
events before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The
failure of theologians and Bible teachers to
understand this simple truth has resulted in much
misunderstanding of Chapters 11 and 12 of the book
of Daniel. These theologians and teachers have
attempted to apply the literal fulfillment of Daniel
11 to the Antichrist, and all kinds of fanciful
conclusions have been drawn from this
misunderstanding.

The
literal interpretations of the prophecies in Chapter
11 of Daniel were fulfilled before Jesus Christ came
to earth the first time. It is in the prophetic
interpretation of Chapter 11 of Daniel that
describes the events just prior to the rise of
Antichrist. This can be confusing, since both the
literal interpretation and the prophetic
interpretation are actual fulfillment of prophecy.
The literal fulfillments of prophecy in the chapter
serve as types or pictures for the prophetic
fulfillment. When we get to Chapter 11 I will do my
best to describe both the literal fulfillment and
the prophetic fulfillment as we interpret each
verse.

(Dan 10:15 KJV) And when he had
spoken such words unto me, I set my face
toward the ground, and I became dumb.

Daniel
continues his description of the vision that he
received from the Preincarnate
Christ. After hearing the words of Christ, Daniel is
again devoid of all strength and unable to speak. He
sets his face toward the ground unable to speak.

(Dan 10:16 KJV) And, behold, one
like the similitude of the sons of men touched
my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto
him that stood before me, O my lord, by the
vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I
have retained no strength.

This
verse states that the One
talking to Daniel appeared as One in the likeness of
man. This relates to Jesus Christ who described
Himself as the Son of Man. The Christ had not yet
taken on His human nature as Jesus, but the Christophany had Him appear
as one like unto the Son of Man. This confirms that
this vision was one of the preincarnate
Christ.

(Dan 10:16 NIV) Then one who
looked like a man touched my lips, and I
opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to
the one standing before me, "I am overcome
with anguish because of the vision, my lord,
and I am helpless.

The
NIV translation clarifies the verse. Daniel is
completely overcome by the vision of the preincarnate Christ.

(Dan 10:17 KJV) For how can
the servant of this my lord talk with this my
lord? for as for me,
straightway there remained no strength in me,
neither is there breath left in
me.

Again,
the NIV translation explains the verse very well.
Notice in the following NIV translation that Daniel
calls himself a servant of the One to whom he is
talking, and this One does not dispute the
statement. Believers are not the servants of mere
angels. On the contrary, the angels are the servants
of believers.

(Dan 10:17
NIV) How can I, your servant, talk with
you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can
hardly breathe."

(Dan 10:18 KJV) Then there came
again and touched me one like the appearance
of a man, and he strengthened me,

The
Christ again touches Daniel and strengthens him, and
it is reiterated that the One in vision is in the
appearance of a man. Of course, the Man would be
that of Jesus.

The
Christ again refers to Daniel as one greatly
beloved, and it is significant that no other
personage is referred to as being the one loving
Daniel. It is the Christ Himself who loves Daniel so
much. After being strengthened, Daniel asks Christ
to speak.

(Dan 10:20 KJV) Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore
I come unto thee? and now will I
return to fight with the prince of Persia: and
when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

The
Christ asks Daniel if he understands why He has come
to him. The Christ then states that He will soon
depart to do battle with the Prince of Persia. The
word for fight means more than simply engage in
battle. It means to overcome the one being battled.
The meaning is that after the prince of Persia is
conquered, the prince of Greece will come into power
over Israel.

NOTE:
There is a succession of powers that come against
Israel to totally destroy Israel as a nation and a
people. In Daniel’s earlier vision Babylon was the
first, then Medo-Persia,
and the next would be Greece.

(Dan 10:21 KJV) But I will show
thee that which is noted in the scripture of
truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in
these things, but Michael your prince.

The
Christ then states that He will show Daniel the
events that will take place in accordance with the
Scriptures. He also states that it is Michael who
stands and prevails with Christ against the powers
that would otherwise destroy Israel.

(Dan 11:1 KJV) Also I in the
first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood
to confirm and to strengthen him.

The
Christ states that even in the first year of Darius
the Mede, He stood up to assist Michael against
Darius by helping Michael to prevail. He also served
as a refuge or stronghold for Michael. The Hebrew
word for “confirm” means to strengthen and make
strong enough to prevail, and the Hebrew word for
“strengthen” means to serve as a refuge or
stronghold for Michael. The Christ stood up to help
and strengthen Michael in the spiritual battle
against Satan’s princes. He did not stand up to
strengthen Darius, as is commonly stated for this
Scripture.

The
Rise and Fall of
Alexander the Great (11:2-4)

(Dan 11:2 KJV) And now will I
show thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand
up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth
shall be far richer than they all: and by his
strength through his riches he shall stir up
all against the realm of Grecia.

In
this verse, Christ gets to the purpose for His
appearance in telling Daniel what is going to happen
to Daniel’s people, the Jews. We know from Dan 10:1
that Cyrus, king of Persia, was in his third year of
reigning. Cyrus became king of Persia in 559 BC, but
he did not conquer Babylon until 539 BC, so Daniel
would probably have received his vision in 536 BC or
the third year of Cyrus’ reign over Babylon. Christ
is telling Daniel that there will be three more
kings from Persia to reign over Israel, and there
would also be a fourth who would be more powerful
and far richer than the rest of the kings.

The
first of the kings to stand up after Cyrus was
Cambyses, Cyrus’ son, and he came to the throne in
530 BC. Pseudo-Smerdis
followed him and reigned a short period in 522 BC.
He was succeeded by Darius I Hystaspes
who ruled Persia from 521 to 486 BC. The first
Persian invasion of Greece occurred under Darius I Hystapes in 490 BC in the
Battle of Marathon, and the Persians were defeated.
Darius was known as Darius the Great.

Xerxes
I was the fourth Persian king to rule and he ruled
from 485 to 465 BC. Xerxes was known in the Book of
Esther as Ahasuerus,
and he was the most powerful, influential, and
wealthy of the four. During his reign, Xerxes fought
wars against Greece in what is known as the Second
Persian invasion of Greece in 480-479 BC. The
Persians were successful in the Battle of
Thermopylae, but unsuccessful in the naval battle at
Salamis and the land battle at Plataea.

We
know from the Book of Esther that the marriage of
Esther to Xerxes (i.e., Ahasuerus)
removed the threat of the Persian Empire against the
Jewish people, and the Jews found favor with the
kings of Persia. It was not until over a hundred
years later that a king stood up who had tremendous
influence over the Jews and was not favorably
disposed toward them. This king would be Alexander
the Great of Greece, and the following verse 3
prophesies his rise to power.

This
passage of Scripture skips over the remaining kings
of Persia who were descendents of Xerxes and Darius.
These kings were Artaxerxes
I (464 BC-423 BC), Darius II (423 BC-404 BC), Artaxerses II (404 BC-359
BC), Artaxerxes III
(359 BC-336 BC) and Darius III (336 BC-330 BC). It
was during the reign of Darius III that verse 3 was
fulfilled when Alexander the Great destroyed the
Persian Empire.

Artaxerxes I sanctioned the
practice of Judaism in Jerusalem and it was during
his reign that Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of
Jerusalem.

There
is a time lapse between verse 2 above and verse 3
below of 133 years (465 BC-332 BC) during which time
the Jews were favored by the Persian Empire.

(Dan 11:3 KJV) And a mighty king
shall stand up, that shall rule with great
dominion, and do according to his will.

The
mighty king that would stand up was Alexander the
Great of Macedonia. He did rule with great dominion
and according to his will. He conquered the Persians
in 332-330 BC while Darius III was king. The final
battle was at Gaugamela (East of modern day Mosul,
Iraq) on Oct. 1, 331 BC. Darius retired to Bactria,
but was deposed and killed by the Bactrian satrap Bessus. Bactria was an
ancient country located in countries known today as
Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.

(Dan 11:4 KJV)And when
he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken,
and shall be divided toward the four winds of
heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to
his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall
be plucked up, even for others
beside those.

Alexander
III was called Alexander the Great. He became King
of Macedonia after the death of his father Philip in
336 BC. Alexander died at the height of his power in
323 BC after conquering Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt,
Babylonia and Persia. His reign marked the beginning
of the Hellenistic Age.

Verse 4 above
depicts how Alexander was broken or destroyed at
the height of his power. Since he had no heir, his
kingdom was divided up among his four Generals, Cassander who ruled
Macedonia, Ptolemy I Soter
who ruled Egypt, Seleucus
I Nicator who ruled
Babylon, and Lysimachus, who ruled Thrace. Thrace
was a region and ancient country known today as
part of Bulgaria and part of Turkey. Verse 4 was
literally fulfilled during the period 323-301 BC.

Cassander’s kingdom was the
first to succumb to Rome. He died in 293 BC and
his son was not strong enough to continue, so the
crown passed from hand to hand until Rome usurped
it in the middle of the second century BC.

Lysimachus died in
battle against Seleucus
in 281 BC, so Thrace was added to his kingdom. Seleucus was killed in the
fall of that same year when he entered Macedonia
to claim the domain of Lysimachus. The Seleucid empire continued under his
son, Antiochus I Soter.

Ptolemy lived to an
advanced age, died in 285 BC, and left his
well-organized kingdom to his son Ptolemy II Philadelphus. With the
passing of the last of Alexander’s four Generals,
a tumultuous era ended. These four Generals have
come to be known as the Diadochi
(i.e., successors) kings, and they fulfilled verse
4 above in minute detail.

The Struggle BetweenPtolemies
and Seleucids (11:5-20)

The
events of verses 5-20 were fulfilled during the 125
years of Jewish history in the time frame from
300-175 BC. The
verses literally depict the struggles between the
Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt and the Seleucid
kingdom of Syria during the third century BC. The
king of the south refers to the ruler over the
Ptolemaic dynasty at the time, and the king of the
north refers to the ruler over the Seleucid
kingdom at the time.

A detailed analysis
of the fulfillment of the following verses would
be tedious at best, so a very brief account of the
fulfillment of each verse will be outlined. For a
more detailed account of these fulfillments,
please refer to the book In the Final
Days by Walter K. Price.

The following
verses were literally fulfilled in the struggles
between the Seleucid king of the north and the
Ptolemaic king of the south during the third
century BC. They also have a prophetic
interpretation that is currently being fulfilled
in the struggles between Russia and the U.S.A. as
antitypes of Egypt and Syria. Those third century
BC features are the same that are occurring in the
20th century, except that Egypt and
Syria are currently pawns in the struggle between
the U.S.A. and Russia vying for influence and
control in the Middle East. The U.S.A. supports
Israel in this struggle, and Russia supports
Israel’s Arab neighbors who are bent on the total
destruction of Israel.

(Dan 11:5 KJV) And the king of
the south shall be strong, and one of his
princes; and he shall be strong above him, and
have dominion; his dominion shall be a great
dominion.

“The
king of the south” in this verse is Alexander’s
general, Ptolemy I Soter.
He ruled Egypt 321-285BC. The prince introduced in
this verse who becomes stronger than Ptolemy is the
Diadochi, Seleucus I Nicator. Seleucus became one of
Ptolemy’s generals when Seleucus
was forced to flee Antigonus
I in 315 BC. Seleucus
took refuge in Egypt and Ptolemy made him a general.
As leader of the Egyptian army, Seleucus defeated Antigonus I at the Battle of
Gaza in 312 BC, and recovered his Babylonian
satrapy. Consequently, October 1, 312 BC was the
beginning of the Seleucid era. From the Egyptian
point of view Seleucus
was indeed one of Ptolemy’s princes. Seleucus has a crowning
victory over Antigonus
I at Ipsus in 301 BC,
and regained all of his
kingdom, which extended from Asia Minor to India,
except for Palestine and southern Syria which
remained under Ptolemy.

SeleucusNicator’s dominion was
greater than Ptolemy’s, since it was the largest of
those carved out of the empire of Alexander. Flavius
Aarian describes King Seleucus I as “the most
regal, and ruler of the greatest extent of territory
after Alexander. As the true heir of Alexander, Seleucus and his empire are
the focus of Daniel.

(Dan 11:6 KJV) And in the end of
years they shall join themselves together; for
the king's daughter of the south shall come to
the king of the north to make an agreement:
but she shall not retain the power of the arm;
neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she
shall be given up, and they that brought her,
and he that begat her, and he that
strengthened her in these times.

Thirty-one
years (i.e., 280-249 BC) elapse between verses 5 and
6. This verse was literally fulfilled in the period
249-246 BC. In this fulfillment, the king of the
South is Ptolemy II Philadelphus,
and the king of the North is Antiochus II Theos. Wearied by the
hostilities between the two houses, Ptolemy II Philadelphus gave his
daughter, Berenice, in
marriage to the Seleucid king, Antiochus II Theos. A large dowry went
with Berenice, and
Antiochus Theos agreed
to divorce his wife, Laodice,
and disinherit his two sons in favor of a son born
of the new union. The dowry was countless thousands
in gold and silver.

The
agreement failed to keep the peace and the remainder
of verse six recounts the consequences. Antiochus
and Berenice did have a
son, but within two years Berenice’s
father, king of Egypt, died. Antiochus then divorced
Berenice and reconciled
with his first wife, Laodice.
Laodice feared her
husband’s fickleness, so she poisoned him. She also
had Berenice and her
child murdered along with all of those who
accompanied her to Antioch. Verse six predicts this
in precise detail as follows:

(Dan
11:6 KJV)And
in the end of years (ie.,
after some years—31) they shall join themselves
together (Egypt & Syria make an alliance); for
the king's daughter (Ptolemy II Philadelphus’ daughter Berenice) of the south shall
come to the king of the north to make an agreement
(i.e., marriage for a large dowry with inheritance
rights): but she shall not retain the power of the
arm (Berenice is
divorced); neither shall he stand (Antiochus II Theos is poisoned by Laodice), nor his arm (Berenice’s son is murdered):
but she shall be given up (Berenice
is murdered), and they that brought her (court of Berenice is murdered), and
he that begat her (king Ptolemy II Philadelphus dies in 246
BC), and he that strengthened her in these times
(Antiochus also dies in 246 BC).

The
following verses 7-9 are fulfilled in the period
246-240 BC. Daniel’s vision moves into the next
generation and the king of the south is Berenice’s brother, Ptolemy
III Euergetes, who
followed their father on the throne of Egypt. The
king of the north is Seleucus
II Callinicus, son of
Antiochus II Theos and
Laodice

(Dan 11:7 KJV) But out of a
branch of her roots shall one stand up in his
estate, which shall come with an army, and
shall enter into the fortress of the king of
the north, and shall deal against them, and
shall prevail:

Ptolemy
III Euergetes stood up
in the estate of his father, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, as the branch
of Berenice’s roots. Euergetes invaded Syria to
avenge the murder of Berenice.
He captured Seleucia, the fortified port of Antioch
in Syria, and looted the fortress of the king of the
north of 40,000 talents of silver, along with 2500
costly vessels and images of the Syrian gods.

NOTE:
The New American Standard Bible is also used for
the following two verses due to the more accurate
translation of these verses.

(Dan 11:8 NASB)"And
also their gods with their metal images and their
precious vessels of silver and gold he will take
into captivity to Egypt, and he on his part will
refrain from attacking the king of the North for
some years.

(Dan 11:8 KJV) And shall also
carry captives into Egypt their gods, with
their princes, and with their precious vessels
of silver and of gold; and he shall continue
more years than the king of the north.

Ptolemy
III Euergetes could
have defeated the whole of Syria at this time, but a
rebellion in Egypt turned his attention from Syria
to the home front. After a successful entrance into
the kingdom of Seleucus
II Callinicus, Ptolemy
III Euergetes returned
to his own country and was to “refrain from
attacking the king of the North for some years.”

(Dan 11:9 NASB)"Then
the latter will enter the realm of the king of the
South, but will return to his own land.

(Dan 11:9 KJV)So the
king of the south shall come into his kingdom,
and shall return into his own land.

Wishing
to take advantage of Ptolemy III Euergetes problems at home,
Seleucus II Callinicus invaded Egypt.
However, the armies of Ptolemy III Euergetes defeated Seleucus II Callinicus so badly that he
was to “return to his own land.” Only a remnant of
his forces remained intact. This happened in 240 BC,
and was the only time that Ptolemaic rule in Coele-Syria was seriously
threatened.

The
following verses 10-19 were literally fulfilled in
226-187 BC, which was 14 years later. The two kings
of the south are Ptolemy IV Philopator
and Ptolemy V Epiphanes.
The two kings of the north are Seleucus
III Ceraunus and
Antiochus III the Great—the two sons of Seleucus II Callinicus. Verse 10 begins
with these two sons of Seleucus
II Callinicus.

(Dan 11:10 KJV) But his sons
shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a
multitude of great forces: and one shall
certainly come, and overflow, and pass
through: then shall he return, and be stirred
up, even to his fortress.

The
two sons of Seleucus II
Callinicus, Seleucus III Ceraunus and Antiochus III
the Great, were “stirred up” or incited to wage war
with “a multitude of great forces” against the
Egyptian Empire. The former only reigned two years
before being murdered. He was followed on the
Seleucid throne by his illustrious brother,
Antiochus the Great, and succeeded in bringing the
Seleucid Empire to its greatest glory until it
collided head on with the Roman Empire.

“The
two sons” are mentioned because Seleucus III Ceraunus led the invasion
until he was killed in Asia Minor. Antiochus III the
Great followed up and resumed the war with Ptolemy
IV Philopator in 219
BC. His campaigns in Syria and Israel in 218 BC are
described by Daniel as “a multitude of great forces:
and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass
through.”

“Then
shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his
fortress” refers to the renewed attack by Antiochus
III the Great upon Egypt in the spring of 217 BC.
This time Antiochus III the Great moved south to
“his fortress”, or Ptolemy’s fortress at Gaza or Raphia.

(Dan 11:11 KJV) And the king of
the south shall be moved with choler, and
shall come forth and fight with him, even with
the king of the north: and he shall set forth
a great multitude; but the multitude shall be
given into his hand.

The
attack on Ptolemy’s fortress at Gaza greatly angered
Ptolemy IV Philopator,
who brought his armies up from Alexandria to fight
against Antiochus III the Great, the “king of the
north”. Antiochus III the Great also “set forth a
great multitude, but the multitude shall be given
into his hand” (i.e., the hand of Ptolemy IV Philopator). The casualties
of Antiochus III the Great amounted to 10,000
infantry, 300 cavalry, and 6 elephants. In addition,
4,000 of Antiochus’ men became prisoners, according
to the Greek historian Polybius. Antiochus III the
Great retreated with the remainder of his armies to
Gaza and then to Antioch.

(Dan 11:12 KJV) And when he hath
taken away the multitude, his heart shall be
lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten
thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by
it.

Ptolemy
IV Philopator had
“taken away” or swept “away the multitude” and “his
heart” was “lifted up” since he “cast down many ten
thousands,” but he did not prevail because he failed
to follow up his victory and completely overthrow
Antiochus III the Great.

After
the Battle of Raphia
between Ptolemy IV Philopator
and Antiochus III the Great, there was virtual peace
between Egypt and Syria for 12 years. Antiochus was
busy in the eastern section of his own empire
strengthening himself in Persia, Bactria and India.
His exploits in the east allowed him to amass a
large army and great riches, and the following verse
describes his actions at this point.

(Dan 11:13 KJV) For the king of
the north shall return, and shall set forth a
multitude greater than the former, and shall
certainly come after certain years with a
great army and with much riches.

With
his larger army, Antiochus III the Great returned
with “a multitude greater than the former” to do
battle with Ptolemy IV Philopator.
“After certain years” refers to the elapsed 12
years.

Note:
Verses 14 and 15 following are also given from the
New American Standard Bible because of the more
accurate translation.

(Dan 11:14
KJV)And
in those times there shall many stand up against
the king of the south: also the robbers of thy
people shall exalt themselves to establish the
vision; but they shall fall.

(Dan 11:14
NASB) "Now in those times many will rise
up against the king of the South; the violent
ones among your people will also lift themselves
up in order to fulfill the vision, but they will
fall down.

At the
time of Antiochus’ invasion of Israel, which was
under the kingship of Ptolemy, there was a revolt in
Egypt, and the Jews joined this rebellion. The Jews
arose in rebellion because of a vision that was
supposed to allow them to conquer Ptolemy. However,
the Jews failed in their rebellion against Ptolemy.

(Dan 11:15
KJV)So
the king of the north shall come, and cast up a
mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the
arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his
chosen people, neither shall there be any strength
to withstand.

(Dan 11:15
NASB) "Then the king of the North will
come, cast up a siege mound, and capture a
well-fortified city; and the forces of the South
will not stand their ground, not even their
choicest troops, for there will be no strength
to make a stand.

The
next king of the south was Ptolemy V Epiphanes and he sent the
Egyptian general Scopas
into Syria in 198 BC to regain territory lost to
Antiochus III the Great. Antiochus defeated Scopas and Scopas fled with 10,000 of
his men to the fortified city of Sidon for
protection. Scopas and
his men were virtual prisoners at Sidon, and Egypt
sent three of its best generals to rescue Scopas and his army.
However, “the forces of the South” were not able to
“stand their ground”, and “even their choicest
troops” had “no strength to make a stand.” King
Antiochus surrounded the city and built a “siege
mound” and was able to “capture a well-fortified
city.”

(Dan 11:16 KJV) But he that
cometh against him shall do according to his
own will, and none shall stand before him: and
he shall stand in the glorious land, which by
his hand shall be consumed.

Ptolemaic
rule in what is now Israel and Lebanon was
permanently lost to Antiochus III the Great, and he
was in firm control “in the glorious land.” The
Seleucids maintained control even under the Maccabean revolt in 165 BC,
but their dominion diminished under the Hasmonian dynasty of Jewish
kings, and finally succumbed to the Romans.

(Dan 11:17 KJV) He shall also set
his face to enter with the strength of his
whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus
shall he do: and he shall give him the
daughter of women, corrupting her: but she
shall not stand on his side, neither be for
him.

At
this point in time, Antiochus became determined to
overthrow Ptolemy V Epiphanes,
“He….set his face to enter with the strength of his
whole kingdom”. Before the invasion could take
place, Antiochus betrothed his daughter, Cleopatra,
to the Egyptian king. Antiochus intended to corrupt
Cleopatra into helping him gain Egypt, but Cleopatra
was more faithful to her Egyptian husband, Ptolemy V
Epiphanes, than to her
father, Antiochus III the Great. Cleopatra did not
stand on the side of her father or work for him, as
stated in this verse.

Note:
This is not the same Cleopatra that had an affair
with Julius Caesar and married Antony of Rome. This
is Cleopatra I and that was Cleopatra VII.

The
following verses 18 and 19 predict the fall of
Antiochus III the Great.Note: The
New American Standard Bible is also used due to its
accuracy.

(Dan 11:18
KJV)After
this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and
shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf
shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease;
without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn
upon him.

(Dan 11:18
NASB) "Then he will turn his face to the
coastlands and capture many. But a commander
will put a stop to his scorn against him;
moreover, he will repay him for his scorn.

After
his plan with Cleopatra failed, Antiochus captured
most of Asia Minor on the coast in 196 BC, and
invaded the coastlands of Greece in 192 BC. His
conquests ended and he established himself north of
Corinth. In 191 BC the Roman forces defeated him at
Thermopylae.

The
commander who “put a stop to his scorn” was General
Lucius Cornelius Scipio,
who roundly defeated Antiochus at the Battle of
Magnesia near Smyrna in Asia Minor. The time was the
autumn of 190 BC, and the Roman General Scipio
defeated the 80,000 troops of Antiochus with many
losses. Antiochus was humiliated in this defeat, and
was required to pay great sums of money in
settlement. He turned to the fortresses of his own
land to obtain the necessary money for reparations
to Rome. This is predicted in the following verse:

(Dan 11:19
KJV)Then
he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own
land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be
found.

(Dan 11:19
NASB) "So he will turn his face toward the
fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble
and fall and be found no more.

Antiochus
III the Great looted the fortresses of his own land
to secure the war reparations of 15,000 talents, but
he was slain in the process of plundering a wealthy
temple in Elymais.
Thus, Antiochus stumbled and fell and was found no
more.

Antiochus
III the Great was survived by his two sons Seleucus IV Philopator and Antiochus IV
Epiphanes, and both sat
upon the throne of the Seleucid Empire. The first to
sit on the throne was Seleucus
IV Philapator, and he
is described in the following verse:

(Dan 11:20 KJV) Then shall stand
up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the
glory of the kingdom: but within few days he
shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in
battle.

After
the death of his father, the one to “stand up in his
estate” was Seleucus IV
Philopator. The story of
the “exactor of taxes” is recorded in II Maccabees 3. The individual
that Seleucus IV Philopator sent as the
exactor of taxes was Heliodorus.

Seleucus IV Philopator was still
struggling to pay the war reparations to Rome, when
he learned of the great treasure stored in the
Temple in Jerusalem. When Heliodorus
entered within the walls of the sacred Temple, II Maccabees records the story
as follows:

Note:
Maccabeesis not part of the canon of
Scripture, but it does provide a history relevant to
the fulfillment of this passage.

(2 Maccabees
3:24-28) But at the very moment when he arrived with
his bodyguard at the treasury, the Ruler of spirits
and of all powers produced a mighty apparition, so
that all who had the audacity to accompany Heliodorous were faint with
terror, stricken with panic at the power of God.
They say a horse, splendidly caparisoned, with a
rider of terrible aspect; it rushed fiercely at Heliodorous and, rearing up,
attacked him with its hooves. The rider was wearing
golden armour. There
also appeared to Heliodorous
two young men of surpassing strength and glorious
beauty, splendidly dressed. They stood on either
side of him and scourged him, raining ceaseless
blows upon him. He fell suddenly to the ground,
overwhelmed by a great darkness, and his men
snatched him up and put him on a litter. This man,
who so recently had entered the treasury with a
great throng and his whole bodyguard, was now borne
off by them quite helpless, publicly compelled to
acknowledge the sovereignty of God.

There
were several instances of this miraculous protection
of the Temple during the pre-Maccabean
era. Ptolemy IV Philopator
was also hindered from his attempt to profane the
Temple. Subsequent to his defeat of Antiochus III
the Great at the battle of Raphia,
Ptolemy IV Philopator
went to Jerusalem before returning home. He also
entered the Holy of Holies, but was miraculously
stopped in his tracks, and was carried from the
Temple.

These
legends point to the time before Antiochus IV Epiphanes when the Temple
was divinely protected. At the advent of Antiochus
IV Epiphanes, restraint
was lifted and Antiochus IV Epiphanes
did what he wished with the holy sanctuary. Since
the Temple is the dwelling place of God, this points
to the current point in time when the Church is the
Temple of God and the Holy Spirit divinely protects
the Church from evil via the faith warriors wearing
the golden armor of God. These faith warriors are
the Philadelphia church filled with the Holy Spirit,
restraining evil against the Church and in general.
The faithful Philadelphia church is currently acting
as salt and light in restraining evil and providing
spiritual enlightenment to the church. Please see my
exegetical discourse: The Sermon on the
Mount for an in-depth discussion of
entrance into the kingdom of God.

The
Philadelphia church is the restrainer addressed in 2
Thessalonians 2:1-8. Please see my article: The Great Delusion
(The Lie) on the removal of the restrainer at
the Firstfruits Rapture
of the Philadelphia church. When the restrainer is
removed at that time by the Holy Spirit, the next
leader to stand up after the Raiser of Taxes will be
the Vile Person described in the following verse. Of
course, the literal fulfillment of the Vile Person
was Antiochus IV Epiphanes,
but he points to another fulfillment of this passage
when Antichrist profanes the current Temple of God,
which is the Church. Antichrist will be allowed to
do as he pleases with the Church for a period of 42
months during the first half of the tribulation
period. At the end of the 42 months, the whole
Church will be raptured,
and Antichrist will profane the Jewish temple by
causing the sacrifice to cease, and setting himself
up in the temple claiming to be God. This is the
abomination of desolation addressed in the Olivet
Discourse.

It is
believed that the “raiser of taxes” has had its
second prophetic fulfillment with the leader of
Babylon the Great known as Bill Clinton. President
Clinton stood up “in the glory of the kingdom”,
since he presided over America during the height of
its prosperity. Bill Clinton is likely the second
fulfillment of the raiser of taxes, since he
increased taxes more than any person in the history
of America. Also, these numerous tax increases in
America have taken place in the height of the glory
of America. America prospered more economically in
the eight-year reign of Bill Clinton than in all of
its history. Alan Greenspan, Chairman of the Federal
Reserve Board, commented toward the end of Bill
Clinton’s presidency that America had had seven
phenomenal years of economic prosperity. This was
certainly the “glory of the kingdom”.

The
struggle between Egypt and Syria for control of the
Middle East during the third century BC was a
portrayal of the struggle between America and Russia
during the 20th century. Both have vied
for influence in the Middle East with America
working through Israel and Russia working through
the Arabs. The struggle continued in the reign of
George W. Bush with America supporting Israel and
Russia supporting the Arabs. The struggle between
America and Russia has intensified greatly in the
War with Iraq. Please read my exegetical discourses
on Isaiah 17, 18 and 19, and my exegesis of Daniel 7
in The Four Beasts
out of the Sea for an in-depth
description of these events.

We
will not resume with the literal interpretation of
Daniel 11, but we will interject the prophetic
interpretation, as we envision how it will be
fulfilled with our current knowledge of events, and
as they appear likely in the near future. We cannot
know for sure how the events will play out in the
prophetic interpretation until the actual events
occur.

In
verse 20 above, Daniel described the destruction of
Seleucus IV Philopator, the raiser of
taxes, in a few days after his attempt to rob the
Temple. Heliodorus
poisoned Seleucus IV Philopator within a few days
after his attempt to rob and desecrate the Temple of
its treasures.

Just
as Seleucus IV Philopator was “destroyed,
neither in anger, nor in battle,” the American
“raiser of taxes” was destroyed in a few days after
his affair with Monica Lewinsky. His impeachment by
the Congress of the United States of America appears
to be the second fulfillment of the destruction of
the raiser of taxes. Bill Clinton will go down in
history as a moral degenerate, in spite of the
economic prosperity during his presidency. In the
following verse 21, it appears that Antichrist will
appear (i.e., stand up) in the place of the Raiser
of Taxes, but verse 22 below confirms that another
leader known as the “prince of the covenant” will
occupy the presidency just before Antichrist appears
and sweeps him away. Antiochus IV Epiphanes fulfilled the
literal interpretation of the “vile person” in verse
21, but Antichrist will fulfill the prophetic
interpretation of verse 21 below. At present, it
appears that Barack Obama may be the Prince of the
Covenant, who will be swept away like a flood by the
Antichrist who will appear as one returning from the
dead. The Prince of the Covenant refers to the
President as the upholder of the Constitution, but
he will be swept out of office when Antichrist
returns to reign over
Babylon the Great (i.e., the USA).

NOTE:
It is only speculation, but it appears that Barack
Obama and his government will be swept out of office
because he does not legally occupy the Office of
President because of his birth in Kenya. The
fraudulent birth certificate that he presented has
been proven to be a forgery using a birth
certificate number of an infant girl born a day
later than Barack Obama, but who died a few days
later. No one in the courts will listen to the
overwhelming evidence of Barack’s fraudulent
occupation of the White House, but this will likely
change when Antichrist comes out and presents the
proof. America is on the brink of economic collapse
right along with the European Union, and this
collapse will cause all of America to turn against
Barack Obama. The true Antichrist will arise on the
scene and cause Obama to be swept out of office
along with all of his leadership. Since his
Presidency was illegal, this means all of his
appointments and everything he has done in office
will be illegal. Since his government is illegal the
only solution will be to allow the Shadow Government
to take over the reins of government. As the Shadow
President in the Shadow Government, Antichrist will
be in a position to become the virtual dictator of
America when the Republic fails under the leadership
of Barack Obama. Since Antichrist will be presented
as the “christ”, Barack
Obama will likely be labeled as the Antichrist, as
he is swept out of office as the usurper. Satan will
likely identify Obama as the antichrist, since
numerous Christians have already fallen into this
trap.

We
will now return to our literal interpretation of
these prophecies by Daniel.

Accession
of Antiochus IV Epiphanes
to Throne (11:21)

Antiochus
IV Epiphanes was the
greatest precursor of the Antichrist to be
identified in history. The second fulfillment of
this verse points to the soon coming of Antichrist
as the antitype of Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

(Dan 11:21 KJV) And in his estate
shall stand up a vile person, to whom they
shall not give the honour of the
kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and
obtain the kingdom by flatteries.

In
this verse, Daniel describes the unnatural accession
to the throne by Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
When Heliodorus
murdered Seleucus IV Philopator, Heliodorus assumed the
throne and attempted to reign as king regent in the
place of the infant son, Antiochus, who was the
rightful heir to the throne. The antitype of the
infant son Antiochus—with Heliodorus
reigning as king regent—would appear to be Barack
Obama, as explained above. He is described in verse
22 below as the “prince of the covenant”. The prince
of the covenant will be swept away by the antichrist
very quickly.

When news of the
death of Seleucus IV Philopator reached Antiochus
IV Epiphanes, he made
ready to seize the throne of Syria. Without any army
to back him, he appealed to the king of Pergamum, Emuenes II. With his army, Emuenes II escorted
Antiochus IV Epiphanes
to Syria and seized the throne of the Seleucid
Empire.

Antiochus
IV Epiphanes stood up
in the estate of his brother, Seleucus
IV Philopator, after
his death at the hands of Heliodorus.
Antiochus IV Epiphanes
was an extremely “vile person” committing despicable
and lewd acts without restraint and shame. He was
not given “the honour
of the kingdom.” Instead, he came in “peaceable” “to
obtain the kingdom by flatteries.” “Flatteries”
means that he seized the kingdom by smooth
deception. Antichrist will come in to restore peace
and prosperity and take over the kingdom from the
“prince of the covenant”.

The Vile
Person—Type of the Antichrist

Saint
Jerome wrote his Latin exposition of the book of
Daniel in the fifth century AD. Jerome says:

“Since
many of the details which we are subsequently to
read and explain are appropriate to the person of
Antiochus, he is to be regarded as a type of the
Antichrist, and those things which happened to him
in a preliminary way are to be completely fulfilled
in the case of the Antichrist …[therefore]
we should also believe that the Antichrist very
properly had as a type of himself the utterly wicked
king, Antiochus, who persecuted the saints and
defiled the Temple.”

There
were many parallels between the rise of Antiochus
IV Epiphanes and the
rise of Antichrist. At the time of the destruction
of Seleucus IV Philopator, Antiochus IV Epiphanes was under house
arrest in Rome and had no visible presence in the
empire. Antichrist also has no visible presence in
Babylon the Great when the Raiser of Taxes was
impeached. Antiochus IV Philopator
was instrumental in gaining the release of his
brother Antiochus IV Epiphanes
by persuading Rome to switch Antiochus IV Epiphanes as hostage for
Demetrius, the eldest son of Seleucus
IV Philapator. Upon
release of Antiochus IV Epiphanes,
he went to Greece and spent some time there in
seclusion just as Antichrist spent some time in
seclusion on the Greek island of Scorpios.

When Seleucus IV Philopator was destroyed,
there were three possible heirs to the throne of
Syria: 1) Seleucus’
son, Demetrius—a hostage in Rome, 2) an infant son
of Seleucus—also named
Antiochus, and 3) Antiochus IV Epiphanes—brother
of
Seleucus. The Raiser of
Taxes has already been destroyed, and the “prince of
the covenant” has taken his place at the helm of
Babylon the Great. The prince of the covenant will
be in power when he is swept away by the Vile
Person.

In the
same vein, Antiochus was the one least likely to
become the king over Syria, yet he was the one
ordained by God. His accession to the throne was
very similar to the method that Antichrist will
ascend to the throne of Babylon the Great. Please
note that the struggle between the two superpowers
of ancient Syria and ancient Egypt for influence in
the Middle East described in chapter 11 of Daniel
also depicts the 20th century struggle
between the two superpowers of America and Russia
for influence in the Middle East. This will
culminate in the invasion of Russia into Israel and
a nuclear exchange between Russia and America. This
event is described in Ezekiel 38 and 39, and it is
the fulfillment of the Red Horseman in Revelation
taking peace from the earth.

Judea During
the First Years of Antiochus’ Reign (11:22-24)

The
following verses describe the takeover and reign of
Antiochus IV Epiphanes
in ancient Syria, and the takeover and reign of
Antichrist in America (i.e., Babylon the Great). As
totalitarian leader of America, Antichrist will link
America with the European Union (i.e., the
Ten-Horned Beast) to become the last powerful empire
in the world before Jesus returns and sets up His
kingdom. Antichrist will be the leader of the
unified empire of America and the European Union.
This is why the empire will be so strong and no one
will be able to fight against it. The link between
America and the European Union is prophesied in the
following verses. The European Union is the ten
horns, and Antichrist is the “little horn” with “the
eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking
great things.”

(Dan 7:7 KJV)After
this I saw in the night visions, and behold a
fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong
exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it
devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the
residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse
from all the beasts that were before it; and it
had ten horns.

(Dan 7:8 KJV)I
considered the horns, and, behold, there came up
among them another little horn, before whom there
were three of the first horns plucked up by the
roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like
the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great
things.

(Dan 7:23 KJV)Thus he
said, The fourth beast
shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which
shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall
devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down,
and break it in pieces.

(Dan 7:24 KJV) And the ten horns
out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall
arise: and another shall rise after them; and
he shall be diverse from the first, and he
shall subdue three kings.

Russia
will come against this Empire by invading Israel
just as the Ptolemies
invaded Israel, but Russia will be defeated at the
hands of Antichrist as leader over Babylon the Great
and the European Union. The destruction of Russia is
described in Ezekiel 38 and 39. It is not until
about four years later that the “kings from the
East” will come against the forces of Antichrist at
the Battle of Armageddon. Until that time,
Antichrist will be the virtual master of the world.
He will be given unchecked authority during the
first half of the tribulation period, but the
judgments of God will fall upon him during the last
half of the tribulation period, which is the wrath of God and the
time of Jacob’s trouble.

NOTE:
The empire of Antichrist
will be pro-Israel during the first half of the
tribulation period, but he will come against Israel
during the last half of the tribulation period.

(Dan 11:22 KJV) And with the arms
of a flood shall they be overflown from before
him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince
of the covenant.

When
Antiochus came in with Eumenes,
king of Pergamum, supporting him, he came in
suddenly like a flashflood (i.e., arms of a flood)
and overtook the kingdom before they knew what was
happening. There was little resistance as Antiochus
IV Epiphanes took over
the kingdom of Syria, and this included the land of
Israel. Antiochus also was responsible for replacing
the high priest in Jerusalem, who was Onias III (i.e., the prince
of the covenant). His brother Joshua, who was more
disposed to Hellenism, replaced Onias. Joshua even had a
Greek name, Jason.

When
Antichrist stands up in the place of the Raiser of
Taxes, he will come in suddenly like a flashflood
and the current government will be swept away like a
flood. The executive, legislative and judicial
branches of the U.S. government will “be overflown from before him,
and shall be broken,” or shattered into pieces. Even
“the prince of the covenant” will be removed. The
“prince of the covenant” is the leader and upholder
of the Constitution, and it appears to be the
current leader, who is Barack
Obama.. A translation of
the word “covenant” is “Constitution”.

(Dan 11:23 KJV) And after the
league made with him he shall work
deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall
become strong with a small people.

This
verse was literally fulfilled by Antiochus when he
associated himself with the wealthy aristocratic
priests and worked deceitfully to Hellenize Judea.
These aristocratic priests promoted Hellenism for
economic advantage. These priests are the small
group of people who helped Antiochus become strong.

The
second fulfillment of this verse will be by
Antichrist in his association with the Bilderberger Group. He will
be installed as the totalitarian dictator of America
via the Shadow Government, which is formally called
the Government in Waiting, and he will become strong
very quickly. Right after 9-11 George W. Bush came
out and explained the Shadow Government to the
American people. He did so to assure Americans that
if something happened to our current government, so
that it would be unable to function, then there was
in place a Government in Waiting ready to take over
to preserve the continuity of government.
Antichrist, the once and future leader of America,
is presently occupying in secret the office of
Shadow President. He is ready to take over the reins
of government in America the moment our present
government fails and is swept out of office like a
flood. Antichrist has already received his mortal
head wound and his mortal wound has been healed.
Everything has been set for him to arise from the
dead and astonish the world by the fact that he is
alive and not dead.

(Dan 11:24 KJV) He shall enter
peaceably even upon the fattest places of the
province; and he shall do that which his
fathers have not done, nor his fathers'
fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey,
and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall
forecast his devices against the strong holds,
even for a time.

In
this verse, Daniel indicates that Antiochus will do
something unique that previous monarchs of Syria had
not done. Antiochus fulfilled this prophecy by
lavishing gifts upon select individuals and
communities to secure their loyalty. The Greek
historian DiodorusSiculus confirms this
fulfillment by saying, “Antiochus, on first
succeeding to the throne, embarked upon a quixotic
mode of life foreign to other monarchs.” Diodorus also details the
extravagances among the citizens of Antioch in his
ventures among the people. S. R. Driver in The Book of
Daniel states that Antiochus in these antics
was “courting popularity to an excessive degree.”
Antiochus was also generous with the spoils and prey
among foreign provinces such as Egypt and among
municipalities such as Megalopolis in Arcadia.

In the
same manner as Antiochus, Antichrist will plunder
the churches in America, and take away the riches of
Christians, and he will distribute the spoils among
his followers. Please see my exegesis on the book of
Habbakuk for an
explanation of the Biblical description of the
persecution of Christians and churches in America
during the first half of the tribulation period.
Habakkuk is a detailed description of the exploits
of Antichrist during the seven-year tribulation
period. Antichrist will round up Christians from all
over America and transport them to detention centers
where they will be executed at the same time that he
will plunder their bank accounts and property.

“He
shall forecast his
devices against the strongholds, even for a time,”
means that Antichrist will devise plans against the
churches for a specific period of time. That period
of time is the time of testing of the Church for 42
months during the first half of the tribulation
period. Just as the strongholds or fortresses were
the temples during ancient Syria, they are the
churches in modern times. There is much wealth in
the churches of America today.

Antiochus’ First Egyptian
Campaign & Aftermath (11:25-28)

The
following four verses—11:25-28—describe the
overthrow of the king of the South (i.e., Egypt) by
military defeat and deception. The king of Egypt was
Ptolemy VI Philometor,
and Daniel saw Antiochus IV Epiphanes
invade Egypt with a great and mighty army. First Maccabees addresses this
powerful army, and describes it as consisting of
chariots, elephants, cavalry and a great fleet (1 Macc 1:17). The Romans had
forbidden the Syrians to use elephants in battle
since Hannibal of Carthage (218-202 BC) had used
elephants against the Romans. In spite of this Roman
forbiddance, Antiochus used them successfully
against the Egyptians. He also used them later
against the Jews during the Maccabean
revolt (1 Macc 6:30).

The
description in the Apocrypha is written history,
while the words of Daniel are a written prophecy.
First Maccabees was
written after the event, but Daniel was written over
350 years before the event.

(Dan 11:25 KJV) And he shall stir
up his power and his courage against the king
of the south with a great army; and the king
of the south shall be stirred up to battle
with a very great and mighty army; but he
shall not stand: for they shall forecast
devices against him.

The
verse describes the great battle on the Egyptian
frontier in 169 BC, but it also describes the
overthrow of the Egyptian king by deception.
Cleopatra, the sister of Antiochus IV Epiphanes was the mother of
Ptolemy VI Philometor,
so the young king was the nephew of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Antiochus tricked
his young and naïve nephew along with the help of Philometor’s advisors, Eulaeus and Lenaeus. They devised plans
against Philometor that
led to his military defeat. This is what is meant by
“…they shall forcast
devices against him.”

(Dan 11:26 KJV) Yea, they that
feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy
him, and his army shall overflow: and many
shall fall down slain.

It was
Eulaeus and Lenaeus “that feed of the
portion of his meat” and they assisted in the
destruction of Philometor.
“His army shall overflow: and many shall fall down
slain” describes the army of Antiochus devastating
the Egyptian army.

(Dan 11:27 KJV) And both these
kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and
they shall speak lies at one table; but it
shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at
the time appointed.

Antiochus
and Philometor both sat
at the same table and uncle and nephew and spoke
lies to each other. Neither one profited in the end
as the end of both came when the Roman empire
prevailed at the end of the age with the birth of
Jesus Christ.

(Dan 11:28 KJV) Then shall he
return into his land with great riches; and
his heart shall be against the holy covenant;
and he shall do exploits, and return to his
own land.

After
the battle Antiochus returned to Antioch with the
riches of Egypt, but he first entered Jerusalem
“against the holy covenant” that promised the land
of Israel to the Jews. “He shall do exploits” refers
to the sacrilege and carnage that Antiochus did in
Jerusalem against the Jews and the temple.

This
sacrilege and carnage is described in the Apocrypha
as follows:

On his return from the conquest
of Egypt, in the year 143 (i.e., 169 BC), Antiochus
marched with a strong force against Israel and
Jerusalem. In his arrogance he entered the temple
and carried off the golden altar, the lamp-stand
with all its equipment, the table for the Bread of
the Presence, the sacred cups and bowls, the golden
censers, the curtain, and the crowns. He stripped
off all the gold plating from the temple front. He
seized the silver, gold, and precious vessels, and
whatever secret treasures he found, and took them
all with him when he left for his own country. He
had caused much bloodshed, and he gloated over all
he had done. (1 Macc
1:20-24).

The Campaign of Antichrist
against Egypt (11:25-28 Prophetic)

In
addition to describing the first successful battle
of Antiochus against the king of Egypt, this section
points to a future war between Antichrist and Egypt.

(Dan 11:25 KJV)And he
shall stir up his power and his courage against
the king of the south with a great army; and the
king of the south shall be stirred up to battle
with a very great and mighty army; but he shall
not stand: for theyshall forecast
devices against him.

Antichrist
shall stir up his power and courage against the
leader of Egypt with a great army. The leader of
Egypt in the prophetic interpretation shall stir up
the Arab nations against Antichrist in the form of
the Leopard of Daniel 7 with the four wings on its
back. The Leopard is a heraldic representation of a
lion and refers to the sphinx. The four wings on the
back of the Leopard will almost certainly be Syria,
Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Please read my
article The
Four Beasts out of the Sea for a full
discussion of this beast. Egypt will be completely
devastated by Antichrist and this is literally
prophesied in Isaiah 19. Please see my exegesis of
Isaiah 19 for a full discussion of the total
devastation of Egypt.

(Dan 11:26
KJV) Yea, they that feed of the portion of
his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall
overflow: and many shall fall down slain.

The
prophetic interpretation of this verse refers to the
“burning” of the resources of Egypt’s food source,
and Egypt’s leader shall be destroyed in the nuclear
devastation that comes upon Egypt. Millions of
Egyptians will be slain when Egypt becomes a nuclear
wasteland. The Hebrew word for feed means to devour
or consume by fire, and this is exactly what will
happen to the food source of Egypt as described in
Isaiah 19.

(Dan 11:27
KJV) And both these kings' hearts shall be
to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one
table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end
shall be at the time appointed.

Both
Antichrist and the leader of Egypt will sit at the
same table prior to this nuclear devastation, but
the hearts of both will be intent upon evil, and
they will lie to each other. Neither will profit in
the end when Jesus Christ takes over the earth and
establishes His kingdom.

(Dan 11:28
KJV) Then shall he return into his land
with great riches; and his heart shall be
against the holy covenant; and he shall do
exploits, and return to his own land.

After
the nuclear devastation of Egypt, Antichrist will
return to Babylon the Great with control over the
oil wealth of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria and Jordan,
the four wings on the back of the Leopard. In his
heart, Antichrist will also be against the holy
covenant that guarantees the land of Israel to the
Jews. “He shall do exploits” means that Antichrist
will have temporarily accomplished what he set out
to do at the time that he returns home to America.

We
will now resume with the literal interpretation at
verse 29.

The
Day of Eleusis (11:29-30)

The
following two verses record the second invasion of
Antiochus into Egypt. Antiochus IV Epiphanes had withdrawn from
Egypt just a year earlier, and had left the country
divided under the rulership
of Ptolemy Philometor
and Ptolemy Euergetes.
Both subsequently agreed to unite, and this created
a threat to the sovereignty of Antiochus. His only
recourse was to invade once again.

In the
first invasion, the Greeks sanctioned Antiochus
since it was retaliation against Egypt’s threat of
aggression. Also, the Romans were too busy fighting
in Macedonia to do anything about the first
invasion. The second invasion was quite different as
Daniel foretells.

(Dan 11:29 KJV) At the time
appointed he shall return, and come toward the
south; but it shall not be as the former, or
as the latter.

At the
God-appointed time, Antiochus came back into Egypt.
On the trip from Palestine into Egypt, he met envoys
of Ptolemy VI Philometor
who thanked Antiochus for helping him to secure the
rightful king of Egypt on the throne. They also pled
for him to cease his current warlike aggression
toward Egypt. Antiochus issued an ultimatum and
demanded the formal cession of Cyprus and Pelusium to his control.
From these two points, Antiochus could control
Egypt. Cyprus was an island in the Mediterranean Sea
and would give Antiochus control of the sea. Pelusium would give him
control of the land in Egypt. Pelusium
was an ancient city on the easternmost mouth of the
Nile River. Ezekiel 30:15 calls it “the stronghold
of Egypt,” and names it Sin. Pelusium
was the main frontier fortress and trade center in
Egypt.

When
the deadline passed for cession of Cyprus and Pelusium to Antiochus, he
invaded Memphis and turned north with Alexandria as
his target. As Antiochus marched toward Memphis, a
very traumatic event took place in his life that
turned him into a malevolent monster in regard to
the Jews. It has gone down in history as the Day of
Eleusis.

At
this time the Romans had defeated Macedonia and
turned their attention to the invasion of Egypt by
Antiochus. Rome dispatched General Gaius PopilliusLaenas with specific
instructions for Antiochus. Antiochus was camped at
Eleusis outside of Alexandria. DiodorusSiculus, the Greek
historian, records the event as follows:

“As
the Romans approached, Antiochus, after greeting
them verbally from a distance, stretched out his
hand in welcome. Popillius,
however, who had in readiness the document in which
the senate’s decree was recorded, held it out and
ordered Antiochus to read it. His purpose in acting
thus, it was thought, was that he might avoid
clasping the king’s hand in friendship until it was
evident from his decision whether he was, in fact,
friend or foe. When the king, after reading the
document, said that he would consult with his
friends on these matters, Popillius,
hearing this, acted in a manner that seemed
offensive and arrogant in the extreme. Having a vinestock ready in his hand,
with the stick he drew a line about Antiochus, and
directed him to give his answer in that circle. The
king, astonished by what had taken place, and awed,
too, by the majesty and might of Rome, found himself
in a hopeless quandary, and on full consideration
said that he would do all that the Romans proposed.
Popillius and his
colleagues then took his hand and greeted him
cordially.”

After
the day of Eleusis, the behavior of Antiochus became
erratic and his entire personality seemed to
degenerate. His great frustration and disappointment
at his rebuff and humiliation by the Roman General
caused a rumor to circulate in Jerusalem that
Antiochus was dead. The effect of this rumor on
Jerusalem caused Antiochus to vent his hatred of the
supreme power of Rome upon the Jews. Psychologists
called this phenomenon “displaced aggression”.

(Dan 11:30 KJV) For the ships of
Chittim shall come
against him: therefore he shall be grieved,
and return, and have indignation against the
holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even
return, and have intelligence with them that
forsake the holy covenant.

“The
ships of Chittim” refer
to the Romans and this verse refers to the Day of
Eleusis as described above. His humiliation by Rome,
and the rumor of his death in Jerusalem miserably
grieved Antiochus, so he hastened to Jerusalem to
put down the rebellion against his authority.
Antiochus killed 40,000 Jews and sold another 40,000
into slavery (2 Macc
5:14). This onslaught by Antiochus is referred to in
the Dead Sea Scrolls as the Era of Anger. It has
also been referred to as the Age of Wrath. This era
has also been dubbed the “ring of slaughter” and
“very great wrath upon Israel.” This time also
points to a future prophecy called the “time of
Jacob’s trouble”, and refers to the last half of the
seven-year tribulation period.

Prophetic
Interpretation of The
Day of Eleusis (11:29-30)

We
will now look at the prophetic interpretation of
verses 29 and 30. These two verses were literally
fulfilled by Antiochus, but there will be another
prophetic fulfillment by Antichrist.

(Dan 11:29
KJV) At the time appointed he shall
return, and come toward the south; but it shall
not be as the former, or as the latter.

At the
time appointed Antichrist will change his attitude
toward Israel, and will come against Judea (i.e.,
the Southern kingdom of Judah). It will not be as
the savior or messiah of Israel,
and it will not be the same as the end of the
tribulation period when all the nations will come
against Judah. This verse typifies the time that
Antichrist will come into Jerusalem and enter into
the Great Synagogue (i.e., the temple) and claim to
be God. Antichrist will have been protective towards
Israel up until this point, but his heart will have
changed toward the Southern kingdom of Judah.

(Dan 11:30
KJV) For the ships of Chittim shall come
against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and
return, and have indignation against the holy
covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return,
and have intelligence with them that forsake the
holy covenant.

In the
middle of the tribulation period, Antichrist will be
opposed by those in the Church who were left at the
Firstfruits Rapture, and
the 144,000 firstfruits
of the Jews. The word “ships” refers to the
salvation of Jesus, and Chittim
refers to the western coastlands. The prophetic
interpretation of the holy covenant refers to the
Holy Bible, so Antichrist will have indignation
against the Bible, and he will have knowledge about
those in the Church who departed from obedience to
the Holy Bible.

The
Gezerot: Antiochus’
Evil Decrees (11:31-32a)

(Dan 11:31
KJV)And
arms shall stand on his part, and they shall
pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take
away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the
abomination that maketh
desolate.

(Dan 11:32 KJV) (a) And such as
do wickedly against the covenant shall he
corrupt by flatteries: (b) but the people that
do know their God shall be strong, and do
exploits.

These
verses were fulfilled in the period 168-165 BC. In
the year 168 BC the “Evil Decrees” of Antiochus IV Epiphanes were mandated
primarily for the Jews. The Temple was defiled by
offering a sow on the altar and a statue of Zeus and
other gods were placed in the Temple. In verse 32a
Jews abandoned the covenant of circumcision by
promises from Antiochus.

“Throughout
his empire: his subjects were all to become one
people and abandon their own laws and religion” (1 Macc 1:41)

The
repercussions from these decrees greatly affected
the Jews for three and one-half years during the
period June 168 BC until October 165 BC. The reason
for the decrees by Antiochus was to unify his empire
against Rome after the embarrassment of Antiochus on
the Day of Eleusis as explained above. Antiochus
desired to Hellenize the whole Seleucid Empire but
the uniqueness of the Jewish religion was a
tremendous obstacle to him.He wanted
to abolish the practice of circumcision and coerce
the Jews to add the pantheon of Greek gods to their
worship of Yahweh. It was okay for them to continue
to worship Yahweh as long as they also worshipped
the Greek gods and acknowledged Zeus as the supreme
god. In verse 32a above many aristocratic Jews had
already been corrupted by this attempt at
Hellenizing them, but in verse 32b above there were
still masses of Jewish people who resisted the evil
decrees of Antiochus.

Judas
Maccabee: Israel’s
Great Deliverer (11:32b-35)

(Dan 11:32
(b) but the people that do know their God shall
be strong, and do exploits.

(Dan 11:33
KJV)And
they that understand among the people shall
instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword,
and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many
days.

(Dan 11:34
KJV)Now
when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help:
but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.

(Dan 11:35 KJV) And some of them
of understanding shall fall, to try them, and
to purge, and to make them white, even to the
time of the end: because it is yet for a time
appointed.

These
verses were fulfilled in 165 BC and describe the
deliverance of Israel from the evil decrees of
Antiochus IV Epiphanes
by Judas Maccabee. The
celebration of this deliverance is via Judaism’s
second most popular feast of Hanukkah.

In 168
BC it was the first time since Nebuchadnezzar 400
years earlier that the Jews had been sufficiently
provoked to take up arms against the tyranny of
Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
The “little help” in verse 34 came from the
beginning of the Maccabean
revolt in 168 BC when Mattathias,
priest and father of Judas Maccabee,
revolted against a band of Seleucid soldiers in Modin, the hometown of Mattathias and his five
sons. Mattathias died a
short time later and was honorably buried in Modin. Judas Maccabee took up the
leadership of the Maccabean
revolt against the forces of Antiochus. Judas’ army
was not as strong as that of Antiochus, but the Maccabeans made up the
difference in their religious zeal. As stated in the
above verses many Jews died and were taken captive
in the Maccabean
Revolt. The final battle where Judas defeated the
Seleucid army was The Battle of Beth Zur described in the
Apocrypha 1 Macc
428:35. The Seleucid army was defeated with the loss
of 5000 soldiers. From this battle Judas and his
army marched to Jerusalem where they prepared to
cleanse the Temple that Antiochus has defiled three
and one-years earlier. Verse 35 above literally
describes the end of the defilement of the Temple by
Antiochus with the Maccabean
Revolt, but it also is a picture of the struggle of
the Jews at the end of the seven year tribulation
period under Antichrist.

The
Willful King is the Coming Antichrist (11:36-45)

The
following verses literally jump over 2000 years of
history (i.e., the Church Age) to the Antichrist and
the seven-year tribulation period. The verses do not
describe Antiochus Epiphanes.
Verses 36-45 literally describe the first half of
the seven-year tribulation period, and Chapter 12
literally describes the time of Jacob’s trouble,
which is the last half of the seven-year tribulation
period. Chapter 12 begins with the flight of the
Jews into the wilderness (12:1) and the Main Harvest
Rapture of the Church (12:2), which contains many of
the Jews.

(Dan 11:36
KJV) And the king shall do according to
his will; and he shall exalt himself, and
magnify himself above every god, and shall speak
marvellous things against
the God of gods, and shall prosper till the
indignation be accomplished: for that that is
determined shall be done.

This
verse summarizes the imagination and the actions of
Antichrist during the entire seven-year tribulation
period. It introduces the self-will and the
irresistible might of his proceeding. He will raise
himself above every god in both his imagination and
in his actions. This was not true of Antiochus as he
wished to render the worship of Zeus universal.

Antichrist
will “exalt himself, and magnify himself above every
god,” and he will speak impious and astonishing
(i.e., “marvellous”)
things against the One, True God. Antichrist will
continue to speak these amazing statements against
God and he will be successful in his exploits of
Christians.

(Dan 11:37
KJV) Neither shall he regard the God of
his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard
any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.

This
verse emphasizes Antichrist’s complete disregard of
God, including all of the Holy Trinity. The Hebrew
word for “regard” means Antichrist will have no
understanding, discernment or give any credence to
the God of his fathers. This confirms that
Antichrist will be a Jew. He will actually be a Danite, but he will give no
attention to God the Father, who is the God of the
Jews. Antichrist will also give no allegiance to God
the Son. The “desire of women” is a periphrastic
paraphrase referring to Jesus Christ. Among the
Jews, it was considered a great honor to be the
mother of the Messiah. Thus, Jesus is referred to as
the “desire of women”. We know now that the Virgin
Mary was ascribed this great honor of bearing God’s
son, so she is the one who realized the “desire of
women” and gave birth to the Messiah. The phrase
“nor regard any god” has special reference to the
third member of the Trinity, which is God the Holy
Spirit. The Hebrew word for “any” refers to the
whole of what is being addressed, which is the Holy
Trinity. Thus, this verse states very simply that
Antichrist will have no regard, deference, knowledge
or allegiance to God the Father, God the Son nor God
the Holy Spirit. The first word for God is elohiymand
it is the common word for God. The second word for
God is elowahh,
and it is in the singular and has special emphasis
on the might and power
of God. Thus, this is a special reference to God the
Holy Spirit. In summary, this verse states that
Antichrist will show no deference or allegiance to
God the Father, God the Son or God the Holy Spirit,
because he will magnify and exalt himself above the
Trinity.

(Dan 11:38 KJV) But in his estate
shall he honour the God of
forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall
he honour with gold, and
silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant
things.

In his
position of power and authority over America (i.e.,
Babylon the Great) and the European Union (The
Ten-Horned Beast), Antichrist will not honor the God
of his fathers, but instead he will honor a god of
might and force. He will have power over these
nations that have great nuclear superiority, so he
will trust in his might and power over the God of
Israel. He will spend great amounts of money for
nuclear arms, and he will have great power and
authority

(Dan 11:39 KJV) Thus shall he do
in the most strong holds with a
strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and
increase with glory: and he shall cause them
to rule over many, and shall divide the land
for gain.

Antichrist
will attack the mightiest countries with the help of
a strange god. This god is clearly Satan, the one
who will empower Antichrist and give him his power
& authority. Antichrist will give honor and
worship to Satan who provides his power and
authority. Just as Satan promised the kingdoms of
the earth to Jesus, if He would bow down and worship
him, Satan has made the same offer to Antichrist,
and he has agreed to the offer. Antichrist will be
reigning and ruling with the power and authority of
Satan, a strange god whom his fathers did not know

(Dan 11:40 KJV) And at the time
of the end shall the king of the south push at
him: and the king of the north shall come
against him like a whirlwind, with chariots,
and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he
shall enter into the countries, and shall
overflow and pass over.

The
king of the south is Egypt (i.e. the Leopard of
Daniel 7) and the king of the north is Russia (i.e.,
the Bear of Daniel 7). Both will come against
Antichrist, and both will be trampled down. See my
exegesis of Daniel 7 for an understanding of the
destruction of the Leopard and the Bear by
Antichrist as head of the Ten-Horned Beast.

(Dan 11:41 KJV) He shall enter
also into the glorious land, and many
countries shall be overthrown: but these shall
escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab,
and the chief of the children of Ammon.

Antichrist
will come to the assistance of Israel when Egypt
comes against them first, and then Russia will come
against Israel along with Libya, Ethiopia, Turkey
and Iran—among others. These areas across the Jordan
River from Israel will be protected by God, since
these are the areas where the Jews will flee in the
middle of the tribulation period when Antichrist
sets himself up in the temple claiming to be God.
Edom is in the area of Petra where the Jews will
most likely hide during the last half of the
tribulation period. Moab and Ammon
are in the area south of Damascus, and this area
will be polluted by the nuclear bomb that destroys
Damascus. See my exegesis of Isaiah 17 for an
understanding of the destruction of Damascus: The Burden of
Damascus.

(Dan 11:42 KJV) He shall stretch
forth his hand also upon the countries: and
the land of Egypt shall not escape.

Antichrist
will “stretch forth his hand” or extend his power
over many countries, including Libya, Ethiopia, Iran
and even Egypt. Egypt is the Leopard trampled down
by Antichrist in Daniel 7, and this trampling down
to submission includes Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Saudi
Arabia.

(Dan 11:43 KJV) But he shall have
power over the treasures of gold and of
silver, and over all the precious things of
Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians
shall be at his steps.

Antichrist
will have power over the treasures of gold and
silver in Egypt, and the Libyans and the Ethiopians
will also be in submission to him.

(Dan 11:44 KJV) But tidings out
of the east and out of the north shall trouble
him: therefore he shall go forth with great
fury to destroy, and utterly to
make away many.

The
tidings out of the east and the north will be the
rumors about the Russian invasion of the land of
Israel, along with Togarmah
(i.e., Turkey) and Persia (i.e., Iran). Both Russia
and Turkey are north of Israel and Iran is east of
Israel. Antichrist will go forth and trample down
the Russian Bear, along with Turkey, Iran, Libya and
Ethiopia.

(Dan 11:45 KJV) And he shall
plant the tabernacles of his palace between
the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he
shall come to his end, and none shall help
him.

Antichrist
shall place himself in the land of Israel at the
Holy Mountain of God between the Mediterranean Sea
and the Dead Sea. He will be here when his 42 month
reign ends and there will be no one able to prevent
this end, which was ordained by God. Just as Jesus
Christ was given 42 months to minister with
authority, Antichrist will be given 42 months to
reign and rule with any intervention of check by
God.

The
Time of Jacob’s Trouble (12:1-13)

(Dan 12:1 KJV) And at that time
shall Michael stand up, the great prince which
standeth for the
children of thy people: and there shall be a
time of trouble, such as never was since there
was a nation even to that same time: and at
that time thy people shall be delivered, every
one that shall be found written in the book.

“At
that time” refers to the end of the reign of
Antichrist, which is in the middle of the
tribulation period. This is the time when the Main
Harvest Rapture of the Church takes place, and the
whole Church will be absent from the earth. The
unchecked reign of Antichrist will be over, and he
will no longer be able to persecute Christians.
Thus, Antichrist will turn his attention to the
persecution of Jews. It is because of this shift in
persecution that Michael, the great prince who has
the special assignment of protecting the people of
Israel, will come to his feet and pay special
attention to what is about to happen to his charges.
This will be an awful time for the Jews, and it is
even called the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble”. This will
be the worst persecution that the Jews have ever
experienced, and Michael will literally stand up to
observe the severity of this persecution.

It is
at this time that the Main Harvest Rapture of the
Church will take place, and there are many Jews who
are saved during the Church Age, and will still be
on the earth at the time of the Main Harvest Rapture
of the Church. Many of these will have been
persecuted during the 42 month reign of Antichrist,
so their names were written in the lamb’s book of
life as members of the Church. It is at this time
that they will be delivered from their persecution
and they will enter into heaven at this point. Thus,
they will be delivered from the time of persecution
that will come upon numerous Jews who are alive at
this time.

(Dan 12:2 KJV) And many of them
that sleep in the dust of the earth shall
awake, some to everlasting life, and some to
shame and everlasting contempt.

Not
only will the living Jewish Christians be translated
into their new bodies and taken to heaven at this
time according to verse 1, but those Jews who were
members of the Church and deceased will be
resurrected at this time. Some will be resurrected
to eternal life (i.e., everlasting life), but some
will be resurrected to shame and everlasting
contempt from the Lord Jesus Christ. The word for
contempt means strong feelings of disapproval. This
is not a resurrection of the unsaved dead, but a
resurrection of Christians. The resurrection of the
unsaved dead does not occur until the end of the
millennial kingdom, which is a thousand years later.
This disapproval from the Lord Jesus Christ will
last forever. The failure to receive honor and glory
will be forever. The loss of reward is forever, just
as the receipt of reward is forever.

(Dan 12:3 KJV) And they that be wise shall
shine as the brightness of the firmament; and
they that turn many to righteousness as the
stars for ever and ever.

Those
Jewish Christians who have been among the wise
virgins shall receive honor and glory and eternal
life, and this honor and glory will be obvious and
clear to everyone, and it will last forever and
ever. This is what eternal life really means. It
means that the life a Christian lives has met the
approval of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that
Christian will receive eternal honor and glory for
that life. The loss of eternal life means the
Christian does not receive honor and glory for his
life, as his life has been a waste. An announcement
of a sermon topic on a church marquee recently
stated that the title of the message was “Don’t
Waste Your Life!” The loss of the soul at the
Judgment Seat of Christ is the loss of eternal life,
and the simple explanation is that the Christian
wasted his life.

(Dan 12:4 KJV) But thou, O Daniel,
shut up the words, and seal the book, even to
the time of the end: many shall run to and
fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Daniel
is told to seal up the book until the time of the
end. As seen above, the end is the end of the Church
Age when God will judge the living and the dead.
Daniel is also told that the time will be a time
when travel to and fro in the world will greatly
increase. This verse is certainly not an
exaggeration, and humans travel to and fro at the
speed of sound or close to it. America has some
airplanes that travel at mach III which is three
times the speed of sound. It will also be a time
when a knowledge explosion will occur. The Internet
is clearly the fulfillment of this prophecy, as
there is instant access to virtually unlimited
knowledge on any subject anyone can dream up.

(Dan 12:5 KJV) Then I Daniel
looked, and, behold, there stood other two,
the one on this side of the bank of the river,
and the other on that side of the bank of the
river.

Daniel
looks up and he sees two more persons, one on each
side of the bank of the river. There are apparently
two angels who accompany this Christophany,
which is a preincarnate
appearance of Christ.

(Dan 12:6 KJV) And one said to
the man clothed in linen, which was upon the
waters of the river, How long shall it
be to the end of these wonders?

One
of the angels asks the man clothed in linen how long
it will be until “the end of these wonders.”
From the following verses, this is understood to be
the judgments of God that occur in the last half of
the tribulation period. The first half of the
tribulation period is when Antichrist is given
unchecked authority to reign and rule for 42 months.
This is confirmed in Rev. 13:5 and Daniel 7:25.
God’s judgments do not begin upon the earth until
after the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church, which
takes place at the end of Antichrist’s 42 months.

As
stated earlier, the man clothed in linen is a preincarnate appearance of
Christ, a Christophany.
This is confirmed in the following verse, when the
man swears by the authority of God in regard to the
length of time that the miracles of God will last.
Only a member of the Godhead could swear by him who
lives forever and ever.

(Dan 12:7 KJV) And I heard the
man clothed in linen, which was upon the
waters of the river, when he held up his right
hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that
it shall be for a time, times, and an half;
and when he shall have accomplished to scatter
the power of the holy people, all these things
shall be finished.

The
man in linen swears by the eternal God that these
miraculous events will continue for three and one
half years. He also states that the time will end
when the power of the Jews has been completely
pulverized. As stated above, the time of Jacob’s
trouble will be an awful time of persecution and
destruction of the nation of Israel. Two-thirds of
the Jews will die in this period of time. The time
period will be for three and one-half years, which
is the meaning of “a time, times and an half”. He in
this verse is the Antichrist and he will persecute
the Jews and he will shatter, break or pulverize the
power of the Jews during this period. This is the
meaning of “scatter the power of the holy people.”
When this has happened, the miraculous events of the
last half of the tribulation will come to an end.
These miraculous events are detailed in the Book of
Revelation in the description of the seven trumpet
judgments and the seven vial or bowl judgments.
Please see my detailed analysis of these events in
my verse-by-verse exegesis of Revelation at the
following link: Revelation Chapter 8.

(Dan 12:8 KJV) And I heard, but I
understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what
shall be the end of these things?

Daniel
heard the words, but he did not understand the
meaning, so he asked the Lord “What shall be the
meaning of these things? The Lord responds in the
following verses.

(Dan 12:9 KJV) And he said, Go thy way,
Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed
till the time of the end.

The
Lord tells Daniel to continue about his present
business and life, for the meaning of these words
are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.
To be closed up means the words will remain secret
and hidden until the time of the end. The word
“sealed” means that God has locked up the meaning of
these words, and they will not be revealed until the
time of the end. We know from the details of
prophecy in the Old Testament and the New Testament
about the terrible persecution of the Jews during
the time of Jacob’s trouble, but they will not be
experientially known by the Jews until the events
happen during the last half of the seven-year
tribulation period.

(Dan 12:10 KJV) Many shall be
purified, and made white, and tried; but the
wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the
wicked shall understand; but the wise shall
understand.

It is
during this time period that many of the Jews will
be purified, cleansed of their sin and tried in the
fires of tribulation. Those who have their hearts
set on wickedness shall continue to live wickedly,
and they shall not understand the purpose of this
period of time known as the time of Jacob’s trouble.
However, those Jews who have become wise will
understand, and they will turn their attention to
righteous living and the coming reward for this
righteousness.

(Dan 12:11 KJV) And from the time
that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away,
and the abomination that maketh desolate set
up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and
ninety days.

This
verse confirms the time period for the time of
Jacob’s trouble to be 1290 days from the time that
Antichrist takes away the daily sacrifice and sets
himself up in the temple claiming to be god up until
the Return of Jesus Christ in Power and Glory. The
1290 days is actually 43 months, and it fits into
the time period of 3 and ½ years. There will
apparently be an extra or intercalary month in the
time period bringing the period to equal 3 ½ years.
Note: Those years that have an intercalary month
actually have 13 months instead of 12. The time of
Jacob’s trouble ends with the Return of Jesus Christ
in Power and Glory. This is the time of atonement
for the nation of Israel. It is the time when a
nation is saved in a day.

(Dan 12:12 KJV) Blessed is he
that waiteth, and cometh to
the thousand three hundred and five and thirty
days.

The
word “blessed” is an interjection at this point and
refers to the time period between the Return of
Jesus Christ in Power and Glory and the time that He
sets up the kingdom on the earth. It is during this
period that the Sheep and Goat Judgment takes place.
This judgment has nothing to do with the Church, nor
with the judgment of Israel. It is a judgment of the
saved Gentiles who will be present in the earthly
aspect of the kingdom during the millennial kingdom.
The saved Gentile who watches for and longs for the
Return of Jesus Christ in Power & Glory, and who
attains to the 1335 days without his person being
destroyed in the judgment fire of God will be
greatly blessed. The additional 45 day period is the
time of the sheep and goat judgment that will take
place after Jesus has set his foot down on the Mount
of Olives. The period of 1290 days is the end of the
time of Jacob’s trouble, but those Gentiles who are
looking for the Return of Jesus Christ and pass
through the 45 days of judgment will be greatly
blessed. The sheep are the Gentiles who will be
greatly blessed for the way that they treated the
Jews during the last half of the tribulation period.
The goats are those Gentiles who will lose their
reward because of the way that they treated the Jews
during the last half of the tribulation period.

The
word “waiteth” means to
long for or watch for with diligence and
expectation. The word “cometh” means to attain to or
arrive at the end of the 1335 day period intact
without perishing in Gehenna
Fire, which is the judgment fire of God. Please read
my exegesis of the Sheep and Goat Judgment at the
following link: The Olivet Discourse.

Note:
The goats do not attain to the 1335 days for their
souls perish in Gehenna
Fire prior to the end of the Sheep and Goat
Judgment. The sheep do attain to the 1335 days for
their souls do not perish in Gehenna
Fire and they are greatly blessed, as stated in the
interjection at the end of Chapter 12 of Daniel

(Dan 12:13 KJV) But go thou thy
way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and
stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

The
Lord ends his proclamation to Daniel by telling him
to continue about his business and his life. The
Lord also tells Daniel that he will die before these
events come to pass, but he will be resurrected and
receive his reward at the end of the 1290 days. The
word “rest” refers to the death of Daniel and the
word “stand” refers to the resurrection of Daniel.
The word “lot” refers to the portion of Daniel’s
recompense of reward.